It’s been 15 years today since the Norwegian public turned down an EU membership in the 1994 referendum, held on Monday 28 November. After a long and heated debate the nay-sayers drew the longest straw, winning 52.2 percent of the votes, on an 88.6 percent turnout.

As an (extremely) active member of the European [...]]]>

It’s been 15 years today since the Norwegian public turned down an EU membership in the 1994 referendum, held on Monday 28 November. After a long and heated debate the nay-sayers drew the longest straw, winning 52.2 percent of the votes, on an 88.6 percent turnout.

As an (extremely) active member of the European Movement at the time, I would be lying if I declared myself unaffected by the outcome, like the rest of the remaining 47,8 percent yes voters. The European Movement held a party in central Oslo that night that I attended, alongside other EU activists. Spurred by the Swedes’, the Finns’ and the Austrians’ loud and clear yes during their respective referendums that autumn, we expected nothing short of a landslide in favour of an EU membership.

The Norwegian EU polls at some point during Monday 28 November 1994.

Which made our defeat all the harder to accept, of course. I saw hardened politicians crying in corridors and hallways – or sitting face-in-hands on steps. Personally I found no comfort in the whopping 76 percent victory (the exact figure has escaped me over the years) in my own township, Oslo’s Nordstrand, at the time, where I personally set up a local European Movement chapter. For weeks on end I spent my days in silent apathy, until, being father of two little boys, Christmas brutally jerked me out of it.

So you see, today I just want to remain silent, even though I’m not entirely convinced that we deserve being accepted into the EU.

See also: A bitter-sweet celebration

We all remember how the Democrats used to scorn the Bush administration for Guantanamo and the CIA’s waterboarding practice – once it was publicly known. It turns out, however, that

A top aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended a CIA briefing in early 2003 in which it was made clear that waterboarding [...]]]>

We all remember how the Democrats used to scorn the Bush administration for Guantanamo and the CIA’s waterboarding practice – once it was publicly known. It turns out, however, that

A top aide to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended a CIA briefing in early 2003 in which it was made clear that waterboarding and other harsh techniques were being used in the interrogation of an alleged al-Qaeda operative, according to documents the CIA released to Congress on Thursday.

— The Washington Post

Pelosi herself denies any direct (wtf!?) knowledge of the CIA practice, but, still according to The Post

Michael Sheehy, a top Pelosi aide, was present for a classified briefing that included Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.), then the ranking minority member of the House intelligence committee, at which agency officials discussed the use of waterboarding on terrorism suspect Abu Zubaida.

Well waddayaknow… (the posting continues after video clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuYrp2tP1Wo

U.S. President Barack Obama (D).

“I can stand here today and say without equivocation or exception that the United States of America does not and will not torture,” president Barack Obama said on his visit to the CIA last April, followed by “Don’t be discouraged that we have to acknowledge potentially we’ve made some mistakes,” Obama told the CIA staff. “That’s how we learn. But the fact that we are willing to acknowledge them and then move forward, that is precisely why I am proud to be president of the United States, and that’s why you should be proud to be members of the CIA.” (The San Francisco Chronicle)

But if he – and other leading Democrats – were aware of CIA torture as early as 2003, 2002, maybe, the Democrat’s Bush criticism over both Guantanamo and the waterboarding practice definitely does sound a little hollow. To say the least.

You may also want to see this, by the way, recently released by Amnesty Int’l:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09m798EcJxI

Scandinavian media coverage:

• – Demokratene var informert om vanntorturen – db.no
• And that’s it – so far

P.S. I apologise if the post appears a little under par, even by my standards, but coherent blogging interrupted by kids, constant domestic chores and work, as is the case with most of my blogging, I’m afraid, is something pretty damned close to impossible. Please bear with me.

Top photo: U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D)

Today, the 8 May 2009 marks the 64th anniversary of my country’s (i.e. Norway’s) liberation from five years’ German wartime occupation, reminding us how fragile a country’s freedom actually is – of which we are constantly informed, through perpetual global unrest.

We were all shocked and appalled as Russian forces poured into Georgian South [...]]]>

Today, the 8 May 2009 marks the 64th anniversary of my country’s (i.e. Norway’s) liberation from five years’ German wartime occupation, reminding us how fragile a country’s freedom actually is – of which we are constantly informed, through perpetual global unrest.

We were all shocked and appalled as Russian forces poured into Georgian South Ossetia – and well into the very heart of the country – last August, threatening to occupy the young nation in the long haul.

Allegations would have it that Georgian forces themselves provoked the invasion in their search for South Ossetian insurgents, that Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili indeed wanted the invasion, as a means to prove a point – the urgency of a Georgian NATO membership, perhaps. Whatever the case: South Ossetia remains Georgian territory,which entails a violation on Russia’s part, of Georgia’s internationally acknowledged sovereignty. So much for indisputable facts we’d be hard pressed to contradict. And how can you not sympathise with the offended president? I know I did.

Bur that was then.

Seeing how civil dismay in Georgia has increased gradually since, and how president Saakashvili himself came out during these last days’ disturbances, you just can’t help noticing how increasingly similar to his old counterpart, Vladimir Putin, he appears to be – in behaviour.

Bearing last year’s accusations in mind, that Georgia’s provocation was indeed intended, a pattern is about to emerge, very clearly demonstrated in Saakashvili’s obviously staged rebuke of the overly ashamed troops in the Mukhrovani military base, whence an alleged attempt at a coup d’etat was instigated. Alleged being the key word, as Saakashvili’s proofs appeared too numerous, much too prepared, included, even video footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxpYJs6RXvs

Hmm… A very carefully directed cry for help from the president in his hour of need, as civil support plummets, don’t you find?

Saakashvili may find it a lot harder to earn sympathy this time, though. He had George W. Bush jr., an avid supporter, to lean on last year, for one. Add to that the European countries’ lowered patience with Saakashvili’s obvious misconduct. If it hadn’t been for fear of letting Russia dictate NATO decisions, the NATO exercises currently taking place in Georgia, planned ahead of last year’s Russian invasion, might never have taken place.

I don’t want to come across as overly anxious, but having said that – in light of my country’s 64th liberation anniversary – there’s every reason to worry over Russia’s growing hostility towards the West. But that’s a different cup of tea altogether, which I’ll make sure to revisit on an appropriate occasion. However, from the archives:

• US-Russian talks on nuclear reductions – 1 April 2009
• Russia flexing muscles – 12 October 2008
• Freezing cold – 22 September 2008
• Should we prepare for a Soviet reunion? – iNorden, 16 August 2008
• Hello, cold war 2 – iNorden, 11 August 2008
• A dangerous neighbourhood – iNorden, 10 August 2008
• Nordic Countries Remain Indifferent to Russian Election – iNorden, 3 March 2008
• You.have.to.get.rid.of.that.man! – iNorden, 14 December, 2007
• Sweden Prepared to Defend Norway – iNorden, 6 December 2007
• Russisk splitt og hersk – (in Norwegian) 25 March 2009
• NATO: Gjensidig forsvar eller verdenspoliti? – (in Norwegian) 17 March 2009

Oh yes, I’m a certified warmonger, but honestly; continuing more or less without an effective defence, as Norway currently does, has me slightly worried.

Meanwhile, a happy 8 May to my fellow countrymen.

Late edit: Before long (a day upon publishing this post) the Russians were at it again (in Norwegian).

Photo: Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili. Photographer: Sebastian Zwez/Wikimedia Commons

We all wonder, from time to time, why the Germans allowed themselves to be seduced by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist party, and how they persuaded the better of an entire nation to consider the Jews criminal, greedy, self-absorbed and prepared to poison German culture with Judaism.

These questions have been asked over [...]]]>

We all wonder, from time to time, why the Germans allowed themselves to be seduced by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist party, and how they persuaded the better of an entire nation to consider the Jews criminal, greedy, self-absorbed and prepared to poison German culture with Judaism.

These questions have been asked over and over again, leaving us completely dumbfounded, even though we’re full aware of the effects of mass psychosis and an efficient propaganda machinery, and yet, we’re just as receptive of it as the pre-WW2 Germans.

Third Reich Führer and dictator Adolf Hitler.

They had the Jews, while the average 21st century Norwegian suscpects the Muslims of pretty much the same. In fact, it’s turned into a bit of a frenzy, leading yours truly to conclude we’re only a handful left prepared to offer the Muslims a chance to be fully integrated into society.

You’d think that massive slamming of Islam was restricted to the unemployed, the uneducated and the prejudiced, but recent developments show that leading politicians, as well as intellectuals, have joined the collective outcry, demanding severe restrictions on immigration and limitations in the Muslims’ right to exercise their religion in everyday life.

The far right Progress party, advocating stricter immigration policies and warning of a subtle islamification, have obtained a whopping 29.6 percent in recent polls, positioning itself for a landslide in the upcoming autumnal election, while people calling for our renowned tolerance are told to emigrate – to Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia.

The average racist is reluctant to see himself as such; marching about in uniforms, yelling heil this and heil that, blinded by the fact that those were mere cosmetics. Championing the core of nazism; hatred, scepticism and fear of the “unknown”, remains racism to me, if you don’t mind my saying so.

If we’re unable to recognise the very obvious resemblance to attitudes demonstrated some 70 years ago, we may as well give up on humanity altogether.

Previous posts on the matter

• Norwegian racism on the rice – 26 March 2009
• Freedom of speech – within “reason” – 12 March 2009
• Political turmoil over uniforms – 24 February 2009

In the news (in Norwegian):

• Mener norsk kultur er truet av muslimer – db.no
• – Norsk kultur blir styrket med muslimsk innvandring – db.no
• – Vi tar ikke over landet – db.no
• – Mellom 4 og 11 prosent muslimer i 2060 – db.no
• – Vi vil få et samfunn som bygger på hellige skrifter fra 600-tallet – db.no
• – Innvandrere bak alle anmeldte overfallsvoldtekter i Oslo – VG Nett
• – Norge er verdens frieste samfunn – db.no

As for propaganda machineries; here’s P Machinery, from, while we’re at it, a German 1980′s group, very appropriately called Propaganda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0cFzZt4mc4

P.S. I’ve noticed lately, how, on declaring my Norwegian nationality, an urge to add “But with Swedish ancestry”, even though my Swedish blood’s been severely diluted over generations.

That can’t be good.

Top photo: Adolf Hitler attending a Nazi rally.

Norwegian Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour) finds herself in a bit of a pickle following the partly government-owned company Aker Solutions‘  NOK 1.39 billion acquisition of other companies in the Aker system, controlled by industrialist

Norwegian Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour) finds herself in a bit of a pickle following the partly government-owned company Aker Solutions‘  NOK 1.39 billion acquisition of other companies in the Aker system, controlled by industrialist Kjell Inge Røkke. Acquisitions resulting in the Aker Solutions shares’ substantial drop on the stock exhanges.

These highly disputed transactions led Ms Brustad to carry out a speedy inquiry concluding that the transactions were a matter for the general assembly.

The deal is also seen as an embarrassment to the government, which came to Aker Solutions’ aid in 2007 with a capital injection to ensure the company remained in Norwegian hands and to secure jobs in Norway. Trade and Industry Minister Sylvia Brustad has called for an independent investigation.

— Reuters

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon Trade and industry minister Brustad informed the media of her intentions to nullify the deal, which in all likelihood is not about to take place.

The government’s financial loss is however not what makes the entire affair so interesting. These transactions, mere peanuts, really, have made more waves than the Pension fund’s NOK 633 billion loss, mainly because of PM Jens Stoltenberg‘s (Labour) close ties to Aker’s Kjell Inge Røkke, as well as DnB NOR bank’s CEO Rune Bjerke, whose bank incidentally carried out the companies’ valuation. These relations have raised speculations whether or not it’s all a matter of near-corruption, allowing the Aker system to load its losses onto the government – via its Aker Solutions ownership.

The opposition demands the Trade and industry minister’s resignation, but the question remains: How involved is the PM himself, known to create scapegoats and pushing his ministers up front in turbulent times, the latest example being the Minister of justice and the police Knut Storberget, committed to hospital following harsh criticism for mistakes made by the government collectively (in other words; by the prime minister)?

While accusations wave back and forth some have even dubbed Aker Solutions the Aker group’s dustbin.

The thriller, possibly resulting in a minister — if not a government’s — resignation, is expected to resound throughout Easter.

More on Aker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00bRWOIuxgE

Recent news coverage (in Norwegian):

• – Frykter ikke rettssak med staten
• Røkkes Aker vil stille statens representant til veggs
• Wallenberg-gransking støtter Brustad i Aker-saken
• Aker skylder på Berit Kjøll
• - Jeg og hele styret er ført bak lyset av Aker
• Denne mailen kan felle Sylvia Brustad
• Brustad får full støtte i Røkke-krigen
• Opposisjonen: – Brustad kan være ferdig som statsråd
• – Aldri blitt informert om milliardsalget
• – Jeg er ført bak lyset
• – Røkke har brutt alle spilleregler
• – Kyniske politikere utsetter Aker for stor fare
• Mener Røkke skader Aker-selskapene
• – Røkke har lurt staten
• – De kaller oss for søppelselskap, det provoserer meg voldsomt
• – Kjøll har misforstått
• Røkke ber Stoltenberg om unnskyldning
• Jens gikk god for Røkke-transaksjonene
• Røkke ber Stoltenberg om unnskyldning
• Mener staten snakker ned aksjekursen
• – Stoltenberg har mer grunn til å være irritert på Røkke nå
• Stoltenberg ikke fornøyd med Røkkes unnskyldning

Photo: Norway’s Minister of trade and industry Sylvia Brustad (Labour). Photograph from the ministry/Scanpix

North Korea launched a long-range missile Sunday morning, according to the Washington Post, thereby defying international warnings and risking further international sanctions:

The three-stage rocket flew over Japan, with its first two booster stages falling harmlessly into the Sea of Japan — also known as the East [...]]]>

North Korea launched a long-range missile Sunday morning, according to the Washington Post, thereby defying international warnings and risking further international sanctions:

The three-stage rocket flew over Japan, with its first two booster stages falling harmlessly into the Sea of Japan — also known as the East Sea — and Pacific Ocean, respectively.

North Korea said the “peaceful” launch would put a communications satellite into orbit, and South Korean officials confirmed that the rocket was carrying a satellite. But President Obama called it a “provocative act” with which North Korea has “further isolated itself from the community of nations.”

In light of the 2006 nuclear crisis I think we all know by now that North Korean president Kim Jong Il (sorry for not resisting the headline temptation) is a bit of a defiant child, but you have to ask yourself: If North Korea’s intentions really are purely peaceful, if their sole purpose is to put a communications satellite into orbit, as every Tom, Dick and Harry around the world after all is free to; wherein lies the problem?

Obviously, some find it hard to believe that to be the case, but if it isn’t, are suspicions backed by hard evidence that it isn’t so? Please don’t get me wrong; I consider North Korea’s dictator a menace deserving a good overthrowing, but let’s not use ulterior motives again.

If the words Weapons of mass destruction mean anything to us in hindsight.

There are so many other — honourable — reasons to bring the old bugger down.

My Scandinavian readers may appreciate these:

• Nordkorea sköt upp kritiserad raket – svd.se
• “Ett hot mot världsfreden” – dn.se
• Omstridt nordkoreansk raket til vejrs – politiken.dk
• Nord-Korea skjøt opp rakett – db.no
• Nord-Korea skjøt opp rakett i natt – VG Nett
• Nord-Korea skjøt opp rakett – tv2nyhetene.no

Finally, a chilling reminder of what we’re dealing with (this is 2004, good people!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnZBgiZ3d8s

Photo: North Korean president Kim Il Jong (of unknown origin).

NATO wrangles over its top post following Turkey’s reluctance to approve the most likely candidate; Denmark’s PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen. For obvious reasons, as described in this Bloomberg article:

Turkey, a mainly Muslim country with NATO’s second biggest army after the U.S., looks [...]]]>

NATO wrangles over its top post following Turkey’s reluctance to approve the most likely candidate; Denmark’s PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen. For obvious reasons, as described in this Bloomberg article:

Turkey, a mainly Muslim country with NATO’s second biggest army after the U.S., looks “negatively” on Rasmussen because of his defense of Danish newspaper cartoons lampooning Islam in 2005, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday.

German chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday announced a decision during Friday night, which, obviously didn’t happen, as it’s been halted by Turkey’s continued objections.

Except from Turkey, Mr Fogh Rasmussen enjoys solid support from the other member countries, including the Nordic, who traditionally close ranks in these matters, which wasn’t a given this time, though. Up until recently Norway’s support was highly uncertain, if not unlikely, due to Fogh Rasmussen’s die-hard (and continued) Bush support, as well as strict Danish immigration, integration policies and hard-lined anti-Islamism — a worry also reflected in U.S.-Arab relations:

The clash over whether the Danish leader is the right overseer for the alliance’s war in a Muslim country, Afghanistan, tests Obama as he seeks to rebuild U.S. ties with the Islamic world.

Breaking News: Earlier on Saturday afternoon Danish online daily Politiken.dk reported that Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen is returning home with the matter still undecided, however it turns out that the Turks were convinced in the nick of time, paving the way for Danish politician – and Anders Fogh Rasmussen party colleague – Lars Løkke as Danish prime minister (in Danish).

More on the matter as the story unravels.

• Obama har ikke hastverk med ny Nato-sjef – tv2nyhetene.no (in Norwegian)
• Fogh Rasmussen blir ny NATO-sjef – db.no (in Norwegian)
• Rasmussen ny Nato-sjef – tv2nyhetene.no (in Norwegian)
• Fogh Rasmussen får leda Nato – svd.se (in Swedish)
• Fogh Rasmussen ny Nato-chef – dn.se (in Swedish)
• Fogh: »Det stod ikke i min drejebog« – politiken.dk (in Danish)

It would seem that the secretary general issue is of little or no consequence for the international press, as bigger and more pressing subjects are on the agenda.

A little background on the Fogh Rasmussen scepticism:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0YyKHebH7M

By the way: So you thought the current NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had an accent? Wait until you hear this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqe1boHAVdI

Either way it is pretty clear that Denmark plays a far more central role than Norway, where the press goes completely off its hinges on receiving tidings of a brief Obama-Stoltenberg chat (in Norwegian).

Photo: Denmark’s PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen. (Wikimedia Commons)

Most of us have harboured great expectations to U.S. president Barack H. Obama, but very few of us expected immediate — and such welcome — results. If he keeps up this pace, there’s really no limits to what he can achieve.

Only last night, for instance, president Obama [...]]]>

Most of us have harboured great expectations to U.S. president Barack H. Obama, but very few of us expected immediate — and such welcome — results. If he keeps up this pace, there’s really no limits to what he can achieve.

Only last night, for instance, president Obama signalled a new era for global economy, indicating that America can no longer “be the sole engine of global growth”, which is something the rest of us have known for quite som time (as, I suspect, has he):

[…] However, the days of super powers are counted. The 21st century has brought about a far much more diversified global economy, sporting near super powers, such as China and India, alongside several emerging economies not to be ignored. President Obama is aware of this, as is Dmitry Medvedev (or, really Vladimir Putin). Re-establishing the old-time balance of powers may simply not be the way to go, and yet, in Northen Europe, Russia’s threat is very real, very tangible.

— USA taking the back seat?

It would appear that, by taking initiative, as president Obama now does, America will take anything but the back seat in global economic dealings, and by acknowledging the U.S. limitations, inviting emerging economies to partake, America’s economy may well flourish once more. Perhaps even sooner than we expected.

You really got to hand it to the man.

Photo: U.S. president Barack Obama (D).

After 69 days in office, US president Barack Obama is preparing a European tour for long-awaited talks with leaders of selected countries. About time, some would say, but the president simply couldn’t ignore the immediate business at hand, as domestic – and global – finances crumbled amid the otherwisely festive “honeymoon”.

In recent days [...]]]>

After 69 days in office, US president Barack Obama is preparing a European tour for long-awaited talks with leaders of selected countries. About time, some would say, but the president simply couldn’t ignore the immediate business at hand, as domestic – and global – finances crumbled amid the otherwisely festive “honeymoon”.

In recent days we’ve seen him play down the Iraqi problem, while putting equal emphasis on Afghanistan, planning to deploy thousands of personnel, of which several civil advisers. He’s gearing up to take a lead in environmental questions, scheduling a late April conference i Washington DC, including

• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• France
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Japan
• China
• Korea (I assume South)
• Mexico
• Russia
• Germany
• Great Britain
• South Africa
• Denmark
• The EU
• The UN

More on the president’s environmental agenda here.

The Washington Post’s Michael D. Shear has an interesting article today, sounding these concerns, among numerous others:

[…] But if the U.S. president thought his popularity would cause foreign governments to fall quickly into line behind a new American leadership, experts warn, he could be in for a rude awakening.

The German government has resisted calls to deploy more combat troops to Afghanistan. Russia is pushing back against a NATO missile defense system in Poland. And the Czech prime minister last week described the U.S. plans for global economic recovery as the “road to hell.”

Russian nuclear cruiser Peter the Great.

Thereby touching on the very core of one of our time’s most critical problems; A very plausible revival of the cold war.

As a Norwegian, residing in a country sharing borders with Russia, I can’t even begin to describe the insecurity invoked by Russia’s current military build-up – undoubtedly in response to the NATO missile defence system, in addition to the country’s obvious need to re-enter the global stage as the super power it once was.

However, the days of super powers are counted. The 21st century has brought about a far much more diversified global economy, sporting near super powers, such as China and India, alongside several emerging economies not to be ignored. President Obama is aware of this, as is Dmitry Medvedev (or, really Vladimir Putin). Re-establishing the old-time balance of powers may simply not be the way to go, and yet, in Northen Europe, Russia’s threat is very real, very tangible.

Even if the old super power model has played its role, there’s no denying that America still plays a leading role. Perhaps even more so now, that the country has a president the rest of us respect.

We can only hope for Obama’s willingness to seize that oportunity.

Photo: U.S. President Barack Obama (D).

I can’t say that I’m overly interested in the attires in which our law enforcement personnel are clad. If pink buttons happened to be part of our female police officers’ uniforms, then so be it. Who am I to meddle in internal affairs, related to the wellbeing of our men and women of the [...]]]>

I can’t say that I’m overly interested in the attires in which our law enforcement personnel are clad. If pink buttons happened to be part of our female police officers’ uniforms, then so be it. Who am I to meddle in internal affairs, related to the wellbeing of our men and women of the law – and quite honestly, why should I even care? It’s not as if it affects me in any way.

Granted, most men – and, I suspect, some women, too – wouldn’t object to being handcuffed by the kind of bunny cop depicted here, but in all honesty, would it really matter if she wore a hijab? Because that’s what the popular uproar is all about: A decisions made by the Ministry og Justice and Police some weeks ago, allowing Muslim WPC’s to wear specially designed hijabs with their uniforms, made all hell break loose.

Wherever you looked, people were outraged. Numerous Facebook groups were formed, and for weeks on end news and TV debates were all about the hijabs. That’s right: hijabs!

You have to remember that this is Norway. We don’t care much to bother ourselves with the really serious matters, but we do harbour an innate fear of the unknown, especially if its origins are really really distant, not to mention of a dark complexion. Add to that the fear of Muslim supremacy, and I expect you get the idea.

People even started to demand the Minister of  Justice’s head on a plate, that’s how “serious” this is. Maybe it’s time someone try to put things into perspective. We’re talking a minor detail, affecting a very limited number of people. For one, there are very few female police constables at all, let alone Muslim WPC’s. Chances of running across one of them (how many are they, two?) are something very close to a million to one, well, less, actually. Also, this shouldn’t be a political matter in the first place, but handled inside the law enforcement agencies. It’s their uniforms, for Chrissake…

It all ended in the government revoking their decision, which means that our two Muslim WPC’s won’t be allowed wearing hijabs – whether they want to or not (the latter being the case, by the way).

But it doesn’t stop there. In the wake of it all, voices are being raised, claiming that we’re being subjected to a “subtle islamification”, specifically by Siv Jensen, chairman (!) of the right-wing Progress Party:

In her speech to the right-wing Progress Party (FrP) national board on Sunday, Siv Jensen warned against what would happen if what she called “a subtle islamification” of Norway would continue. She pointed to what had happened to the Swedish city of Malmoe, where according to Jensen Sharia laws had been introduced in sections of the city, and where the police hardly dared to enter.

— The Norway Post

Which is really what the hijab hubub was all about. If you ask me, police constables, men and women alike, should be allowed to wear tophats and dinner jackets for all I care, so long as it’s reglementary – which is a matter for the agencies, not the politicians (who, as we all know, know little or nothing about how to dress).

So now you know how we keep ourselves occupied. We’re really kind of cute, aren’t we?

You had a dream, you said. Could this possibly be it? Well, it certainly took its time coming true, but here we are: 338 Obama electoral votes and a total of 53,516,786 votes – and counting (at 7:10 AM Norwegian time). This has to be it.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb [...]]]>

You had a dream, you said. Could this possibly be it? Well, it certainly took its time coming true, but here we are: 338 Obama electoral votes and a total of 53,516,786 votes – and counting (at 7:10 AM Norwegian time). This has to be it.

“The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you — we as a people will get there,” president-elect Barack Obama told the hundreds of thousands attending the Grant Park celebration, and I’m sure he’s right.

But we’ve seen interview upon interview with American voters, politicians and dignitaries playing down the race issue, saying “the best candidate won, and yes, he’s African American,” but really, they cannot be serious:

Well, of course the best candidate won. There’s no doubt about that, but leave a little room for Doctor Martin Luther King’s dream, if you please, for surely, this has to be a great moment – for America and the world at large.

Congratulations, all. It was about time.

Dear Senator McCain,

I’m sure you’re a fine man, in every sense. Maybe not president material, but in every way a trustworthy, honest, through and through decent man, in whom I in fact recently regained some faith (in Norwegian) when you tried to stagger your running-mate’s crazed stampede against Obama only [...]]]>

Dear Senator McCain,

I’m sure you’re a fine man, in every sense. Maybe not president material, but in every way a trustworthy, honest, through and through decent man, in whom I in fact recently regained some faith (in Norwegian) when you tried to stagger your running-mate’s crazed stampede against Obama only weeks ago. And that’s not all:

I’m also quite grateful that you seem to have taken a sustainable stand in environmental matters, unlike the president currently in office and, again, your running-mate Governor Palin. There’s not a doubt in my soul that, although you voted with president Bush in so many cases, you represent an altogether different view on foreign politics and America’s place in the global community. If there’s any truth to your promise that you’re not Bush, I’m confident that, in supporting him, you were only being loyal. A fine quality in an old soldier like yourself.

Having said that, I fail to see a clear vision behind your policies, unlike your opponent.

In short: If you come out of this victoriously, I promise I’ll eat my… Breakfast tomorrow.

May the best man win.

First of all, I think I owe you a warning, as this post indeed lives up to the blog name, insignificant, after all, as it is. A mere result of thoughts going through my head as I brewed my latest pot of joe. The thing is, see, I do not much care for the [...]]]>

First of all, I think I owe you a warning, as this post indeed lives up to the blog name, insignificant, after all, as it is. A mere result of thoughts going through my head as I brewed my latest pot of joe. The thing is, see, I do not much care for the once oh so exotic varieties that used to be popular up until ten years ago or so (granted, some even found them tremendously vanguardish even after that). After the caffè latte, mocca, macchiato and cortado wave subsided around le fin du siècle dernier, I grew a passion for basic, black, coffee machine ground and heavily dark-roasted coffee, just as it used to be before we went all continentally caffeinated.

These days I’m all Damn good coffee! And hot! As prescribed by federal wacko Cooper, who, by the way suffers an umpteenth re-run on Norwegian TV screens these days. Have I been watching? Yes, I have, even if the magic faded almost twenty years ago. I know, it’s actually quite scary, remembering how my now 20-year-old son, newborn at the time, slept in his room while we took in the slightly eccentric coffee junkie’s bizarre adventures. As usual I digress.

I never really had a fancy espresso machine, if we ignore the classic La Pavoni (more or less as depicted) my dad brought home some 30 years ago. I was 16 at the time, just about to experiment with grown-up habits, but never bothered to get one myself, save for a number of Bialetti stove-tops – and one designed by Philippe Starck, I believe. Nowadays they’re rarely put to good use, though.

Could it simply be that I’m growing old – acquiring old people’s coffee habits? I wouldn’t mind if that’s so. After all, it does look kind of silly, doesn’t it, with all these middle-aged execs running to and fro, Starbucks cup in hand. Nah… I think I’d rather age gracefully. I know how vain it must sound, but I wouldn’t like to be seen with the country’s leading pseudo-intellectual newspaper tucked under my arm (compulsory part of the package) either.

And I can’t believe it took me all this rubbish getting to the very point, the 3 November quintessential, as it were:

That I take my coffee damn good, hot and black as midnight on a moonless night – or as a 21st century American president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PcoMrwEa5o

I won’t blame you if you, upon discussing politics with a Norwegian, find yourself slightly bewildered, especially if you’re an American. While you limit your political palette to two colours; the Republican red and the Democrat blue, we go about the whole thing in a completely opposite fashion; labelling our conservatives various shades of [...]]]>

I won’t blame you if you, upon discussing politics with a Norwegian, find yourself slightly bewildered, especially if you’re an American. While you limit your political palette to two colours; the Republican red and the Democrat blue, we go about the whole thing in a completely opposite fashion; labelling our conservatives various shades of blue, and our leftists equal shades of red – with greens in-between and a number of brownies (far less edible than the ones you’re used to) on the far right.

Which, of course, is why I sympathise completely whenever you feel a tad puzzled by our political colourisation, but know this: You people confuse us, too. After all, looking at the below map quite a few Norwegians would be astounded by the number of socialist states in America, although most of us are beginning to get the hang of it by now (you’d be surprised by the level of attention your election attracts this side of the pond).

US red, blue and undecided states: Dang, imagine if the colour coding was Norwegian, Johnny!

Am I being overly synaesthetic, you think? Be that as it may. As for me, I suppose I’m kind of blue, judging by the objects on my desk (top photo), but still undecided when it comes to which or whose standards. Can I get back to you on that one? It all reminds me of how I miss the infinitely entertaining writings of Brit blogger Jellie’s Shocking Reds and Blue Meanies, by the way, terminated years ago, but I digress. My quintessential point is that Norwegians leaving the impression that they’re conservative, may in fact be what you refer to as liberal – and vice-versa.

Which leads me to yet a fundamental misunderstanding. While you people think “radical” when using the term liberal, we, on the other hand, think “moderate”, even if the term is diffuse, including libertarians, even, which, I know, makes no sense at all to you. In essence, we live in separate worlds, in more ways than you can ever imagine.

I do know this, though: Your president, whomever he might turn out to be, is the most powerful individual on the planet.

I live on that planet, and honestly think I deserve a say, but fear the colours would only confuse me.

Finally, in conclusion, I’m satisfied following up Cocteau Twins’ Bluebeard the other day (see last post) with a different blue-tinted tune by same. Blue Bell Knoll (no original visuals this time, though):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sd8VK8vxyo

I know that I’ve touched on the subject more than once, but this is serious business, boys and girls. Only weeks ago, Russia deployed warships to Venezuelan waters, doing all they can in order to build up the already sharpened east-west tension. More recently – today, to be precise – long-range [...]]]>

I know that I’ve touched on the subject more than once, but this is serious business, boys and girls. Only weeks ago, Russia deployed warships to Venezuelan waters, doing all they can in order to build up the already sharpened east-west tension. More recently – today, to be precise – long-range missiles were testfired north of Japan and off the Norwegian coast, all reaching their targets inside Russia, or as president Dmitry Medvedev, according to Reuters, put it:

“I have just been told that the dummy warhead has landed in Kura,” continuing:

“We will continue to commission new types of weapons but we will also continue testing the ones we have now,” he said. “Their effectiveness has been proved by time. Our shield is fine.”

Officially the tests come in response to the US global missile defence system, which may well be true, but Russia’s recent strategies bear witness of a military build-up resembling cold war times.

I hate to say so, but rethinking our defence policy is crucial, even if the financial situation tells us not to.

What’s wrong with this (above) picture, by the way? Well, you didn’t really think Medvedev’s in charge, now did you? He’s merely substituting as president, the poor sod, while the czar has a few year’s primeministerial vacation, still pulling the string – until he’s electable once more.

God, I feel like such a war-monger.

As we all know, US president George W. Bush’s plead for a USD 700 billion bi-partisan bailout plan failed yesterday. Quite a few Republicans attribute the failure to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who, apparently, did not stick to the original transcript for the speech she gave prior to the [...]]]>

As we all know, US president George W. Bush’s plead for a USD 700 billion bi-partisan bailout plan failed yesterday. Quite a few Republicans attribute the failure to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who, apparently, did not stick to the original transcript for the speech she gave prior to the congressional vote. I think I’d better quote Politico on this one:

[…] But anyone who looked at the transcript of Pelosi’s speech released by her office might have been puzzled by the complaints.

The transcript seemed relatively tame - with only relatively mild shots at the Republicans in the text.

But a review of the video of Pelosi’s comments shows the speaker deviated substantially from her prepared remarks when she stepped into the well of the House at about 12:20 p.m. Monday afternoon – delivering a series of ad-libbed jabs at President Bush and his party.

Have a look at Speaker Pelosi’s transcript here (The New York Times), then compare with her actual speech:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3J8HpoDDJY

Nancy Pelosi, a seasoned Democratic politician, wasn’t born yesterday. I suspect there’s every reason to believe she knew the outcome of her speech. Which only goes to show that Politico may be right in speculating that she indeed did ad lib doom the deal.

The remaining question, however, is: What did she think she’d achieve by doing so? Pave the way for Barack Obama? Granted, John McCain did a serious slip-up, by prematurely taking credit for the deal, but if further inquiries (I expect there will be some) show that Democratic concern for the American economy means less than a Democratic victory, I fear she may only have accomplished quite the oposite.

As my esteemed reader and avid commenter Finne igen remarks:

[…] There will be strong US in the future but no longer the sole super power, just one of the powers in league with China, Russia and some others. It is funny that every few decades or so the so called free market system needs goverment intervention of some sorts for the simple reason: free markets don’t work. Totally free markets do not benefit us all, just the greediest players, and that is why there must be regulatory system of the markets. What is also funny now is that in the US the people do not understand that unlike 1930′s there will be no credit for no one. US goverment is on debt for thousands of billions so the goverment is almost bankcrupt.

I fear he may be all too right in that assumption. But they (i.e. the Americans) may not be the only ones. Norwegian experts maintain that the crisis may already have landed on our shores, too (in Norwegian), which should come as no surprise, really. Or put in other words (again): When America coughs, the world gets a cold.

As we all know, American presidential and vice presidential spouses usually tend to take the back seat, if, for a moment, we allow ourselves to ignore former first lady Hillary R. Clinton. Sarah Palin’s run for vice presidency may well change that, assuming the McCain/Palin campaign succeeds, that is. In a culture not used [...]]]>

As we all know, American presidential and vice presidential spouses usually tend to take the back seat, if, for a moment, we allow ourselves to ignore former first lady Hillary R. Clinton. Sarah Palin’s run for vice presidency may well change that, assuming the McCain/Palin campaign succeeds, that is. In a culture not used to see men acting in the background, Todd Palin’s future role may pose a series of challenges, for which he’s already positioning himself. According to The Washington Post today:

Meghan Stapleton, a McCain spokeswoman who used to serve as Palin’s press secretary, said the presence of Todd Palin has generated unwarranted criticism and that his role is in keeping with that of gubernatorial spouses in other states. “Every bit of his participating is appropriate and pertinent to his role as a spouse and as a father,” she said.

“There are definitely critics out there who will blow up his level of involvement because he happens to be a stay-at-home dad when he’s off from the slope, and he happens to be an active dad who wants to be with his kids and with his wife when he’s not on the slope,” Stapleton said.

Furthermore:

[...] But Todd Palin, 44, the ruggedly handsome four-time winner of the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, was already an Alaska star before his wife’s election in 2006. Along with his family duties, he held two jobs, working occasional 85-hour weeks as an oil production operator for BP and, for a month each summer, as a commercial salmon fisherman in Bristol Bay. He belongs to the steelworkers union, an alliance that may partly explain his wife’s strong labor support. His Yup’ik ancestry, which traces back to his maternal grandmother, gave Sarah Palin special standing with Native Alaskans.

As we will see, the gender issue may soon prove to be a minor one, as it would appear that “First Dude”, playing an active part in his wife’s policy-making, represents interests which stand to be favoured in the event that the Republicans win the election in six weeks (that’s right: Six weeks and counting).

I’m not saying that the Obama gang is totally devoid of similar conflicts, with all probability it isn’t. I just happened to stumble upon this today. Truth be told, I’m a little disappointed that the press doesn’t seem equally eager to dig up unfortunate liaisons in the Obama/Biden campaign – even though I truly hope (but very much doubt) they’ll win the race.

Maybe an altogether different Palin would do the trick?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jf1y9s73Nos

Via (…)

There’s no denying it: We tend to favour Barack Obama in these parts, or the Democrats, for that matter. Unfortunately we’re not allowed to cast our votes in the upcoming US election, even though some would argue that we really should be granted admittance, seeing as American politics affect us all.

However, there’s this [...]]]>

There’s no denying it: We tend to favour Barack Obama in these parts, or the Democrats, for that matter. Unfortunately we’re not allowed to cast our votes in the upcoming US election, even though some would argue that we really should be granted admittance, seeing as American politics affect us all.

However, there’s this thing that I just can’t seem to get my head around: Why is it that Europeans and Americans differ in so many political aspects? One would’ve thought we’d be a lot more alike, given the common cultural background, after all.

I won’t be so presumtuous as to expect American readers to visit, now that the blog is barely launched, but any thoughts at all are most welcome. Plese leave a comment.

Israeli Kadima leader and acting PM Tzipi Livni is very likely to become Israel’s next prime minister on a permanent basis. It’s been decades since Israel’s last female prime minister, Golda Meir, but what are the chances of Livni bringing about stability to the Middle East region? Let’s consult my friend Wikipedia:

Born in [...]]]>

Israeli Kadima leader and acting PM Tzipi Livni is very likely to become Israel’s next prime minister on a permanent basis. It’s been decades since Israel’s last female prime minister, Golda Meir, but what are the chances of Livni bringing about stability to the Middle East region? Let’s consult my friend Wikipedia:

Born in Tel Aviv,^[9] Livni is the daughter of Eitan Livni (born in Poland) and Sara Rosenberg, both prominent former Irgun members.^[10] Tzipi Livni served as a lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces and worked for the Mossad for nearly two years during the early 1980s, resigning in August 1983 to marry and finish her law studies. It was rumored that she was a terrorist hunter for the Mossad,^[11] but recent findings suggest that Livni was a low level agent. She was hired to live in a Paris apartment to maintain the appearance of a regular residential property.^[12] A graduate of Bar Ilan University‘s Faculty of Law, she has 10 years experience as a practicing lawyer specializing in public and commercial law.^[13] Livni resides in Tel Aviv. She is married to accountant Naftali Spitzer and has two children, Omri and Yuval. According to her childhood friend Mirla Gal, Livni is a vegetarian.^[14] Livni speaks Hebrew, English, and French.

The Mossad background is hardly reassuring, is it, but wait, there’s more:

In Sharon’s Cabinet, Livni was an avid supporter of the prime minister’s disengagement plan and was generally considered to be among the key dovish or moderate members of the Likud party. She often mediated between various elements inside the party, and gained recognition for her efforts to achieve peace, particularly her successful efforts to have the pullout from the Gaza Strip ratified by the Knesset. On 12 November 2005, she spoke at the official yearly commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin‘s assassination.^[17]

The emphasises are mine. Could there be hope after all? Let’s see if she’s elected first, shall we?